Backcountry Education

December 17, 2017

Welcome to “Send and Return: the BCA Avalanche Safety Podcast.” Some of you may be familiar with BCA’s Backcountry Basics and Companion Rescue series. We’ve taken the information from these videos and turned them into a multi-episode podcast series that will help you increase your backcountry knowledge while you’re on the go. Our avalanche safety podcasts are a great resource for both the beginner and the experienced backcountry traveler. Feel free to explore each podcast episode, but we recommend starting with Backcountry Basics Episode 1: Get the Gear, especially for folks new to traveling in the backcountry.

The advantage of BCA’s educational podcasts is the portability and convenience they offer. BCA Avalanche Safety podcast episodes can be downloaded to your mobile device, allowing you to tune in while your vehicle on the way to the mountains, or on your headphones at your desk, or on the trail.

Remember, this podcast is no substitute for an avalanche class. For a worldwide listing of avalanche course providers—and more of our educational videos and research, check out backcountryaccess.com/education.

Podcast Episode 1 – Backcountry Basics Part 1: Get the Gear

In this podcast, BCA pro athlete Colter Hinchliffe talks about the essential avalanche safety and backcountry equipment every skier, snowboarder, and snowmobiler should bring into the backcountry.

In this podcast, BCA ambassador Lel Tone talks about the essential avalanche safety training all backcountry riders need, what you’ll learn from an avalanche course, where to find one — and how to keep your skills current by practicing with friends and taking refresher courses.

In this podcast, BCA ambassador Lel Tone talks about how to get the weather and avalanche forecast from your local avalanche forecast center, how to interpret the avalanche danger scale and “avalanche problem” of the day, and how to plan your day accordingly.

Podcast Episode 4 – Backcountry Basics Part 4: Get the Picture

In this podcast, BCA ambassador Lel Tone and BCA pro athlete Colter Hinchliffe talk about your daily routine: getting the big picture about the mountain and terrain, and how to look for where the risk areas for snow instability and avalanches may lie for the day.

Podcast Episode 5 – Backcountry Basics Part 5: Get Out of Harm’s Way

In this podcast, BCA guide ambassador Lel Tone talks about the essential avalanche and backcountry safety steps every skier, snowboarder, and snowmobiler must take to limit their group’s exposure to dangerous terrain.